This is a picture Ryen drew of her Daddy. When Sonny was leaving for work today, Ryen and I went outside to wave good-bye. She sighed and said, "That's my daddy. He's so cute. He's so smart. He's so cool. And he's 30!"
Miss Ryen Olivia is an independant girl- especially when it comes to fashion. Lately, no matter what I dress her in, she changes into something all her own. Today we left the girls (fully clothed and coordinated) with a babysitter so that Sonny and I could go to the temple. We came home to find Ryen wearing the above ensemble. Were we surprised? Not even a little. I tried to talk her into different shoes when the time came to run some errands, but it was no use. We got some funny looks from the good people at Home Depot, but what are a few chuckles at our expense compared to Ryen's soaring sense of self? You go girl!
Throughout the day, several of Ryen's toys make the pilgrimage from her play room to the family room. At the end of the day, we read scriptures together, say our family prayer, and then help Ry take all of her little treasures back to their home. Tonight, as Ryen was coralling a beach ball, she slid into one of our wooden chairs... face first. I was going to yell, "Saaaafe!" to help her laugh it off, but it was instantly obvious that there would be no distracting her this time. A trip isn't a trip without a souvenir- and let me tell you, she got one to be reckoned with! She is sporting an exact replica of Mt. Everest on the left side of her forehead. When I was tucking her into bed tonight, I asked her where it hurt so I could give her a kiss. With all of the drama she could muster (and let me tell you- she can muster A LOT) she replied, "Can't you see? I hurt my mind!!!"
If social skills are a main reason parents enroll their children in preschool, I'm not sorry I didn't enroll Ryen this year. She is not lacking in that area! In fact, sometimes I wish she was slightly less skilled in that department. When I took her to her dance lessons this evening, it became painfully obvious that Ryen is not only a social butterfly, but the Butterfly Queen! The other little girls were fighting over who got to sit closest to the chatty little ballerina we know and love. Most of those little 3-year-olds didn't know where they were or what their own last name was, but they all knew Ryen. She just confidently beamed in the midst of them all, as if to say, "It's okay girls... There's enough of me to go around." What a character! 
Well, Ry is now at the age where she is becoming more and more aware of the things and people around her. She's been asking us a lot of questions about boys and girls and modesty. We felt it was a good time to give her the "private parts" talk. We used one of her dolls to help her understand where the places are that are... well... private. We talked to her about what to do if something happens and explained to her how special her body is. Ever since, she can often be heard saying, "It's okay Mommy... nobody can touch my favorite parts."
Today was Sonny's birthday. He is such an amazing man and I feel so honored to have him as my husband and the father of my children... even if he is an old fart! :) We love you, baby!!!
